No Tax on Income Below ₹12 Lakhs: Explained
The Union Budget 2025, announced on February 1, introduced significant changes to the new tax regime that will affect how you pay taxes. New tax slabs have been established, and the tax rebate under Section 87A has been increased from ₹20,000 to ₹60,000. Here’s a complete breakdown and practical examples for different income brackets that will help you understand and calculate your tax obligation based on your taxable income with confidence.
Latest Income Tax Slabs and Rates (FY 2025–2026)
The following income tax slabs and rates apply to individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUF), Associations of Persons (AOP), and Bodies of Individuals (BOI) for the financial year 2025–2026. This breakdown will assist you in understanding your tax obligations based on your annual income.
Annual Income (₹) |
Tax Rate (%) |
Up to ₹4,00,000 |
Nil |
₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000 |
5% |
₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,000 |
10% |
₹12,00,001 – ₹16,00,000 |
15% |
₹16,00,001 – ₹20,00,000 |
20% |
₹20,00,001 – ₹24,00,000 |
25% |
₹24,00,000 and above |
30% |
Understanding Your Tax: Examples and Calculations
Let’s look at some example scenarios to understand the different parts of your tax slab and how to calculate how much you owe.
Scenario A: Tax Calculation for an Annual Salary of ₹12,75,000
Let’s consider a taxpayer with a taxable income of ₹12,75,000. Under the changes made to the new tax regime introduced in the Union Budget 2025, we will break down the tax calculation step by step.
Step 1: Apply Standard Deduction
· Standard Tax Deduction: ₹75,000
· Taxable Income: ₹12,75,000 - ₹75,000 = ₹12,00,000
Step 2: Apply Tax Slabs
Applicable Income Slab (₹) |
Tax Rate (%) |
Tax Amount (₹) |
Up to ₹4,00,000 |
Nil |
₹ 0 |
₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000 |
5% |
₹ 20,000 |
₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,000 |
10% |
₹ 40,000 |
Total Tax Payable Before Cess |
— |
₹ 60,000 |
Step 3: Apply Rebate Under Section 87A
· Rebate Amount: ₹60,000
· Final Tax Payable: Total Tax Payable Before Cess – Rebate Amount
· Final Tax Payable: ₹60,000 - ₹60,000
· Final Tax Payable: ₹0
Therefore, no tax is payable on an annual salary of ₹12,75,000 under the new tax regime, thanks to the availability of a standard deduction of ₹75,000 and the applicable rebate.
Note: Health and Education Cess applies only when tax is payable. In this case, since the tax payable is NIL due to the rebate under Section 87A, the Health and Education Cess is not applicable.
Scenario B: Tax Calculation for an Annual Salary of ₹20,00,000
Let’s consider a taxpayer with a taxable income of ₹20,00,000. We will explain the tax calculation in detail based on the changes to the new tax regime introduced in the Union Budget 2025, so you can see how this income level affects taxes.
Step 1: Apply Standard Deduction
· Standard Tax Deduction: ₹75,000
· Taxable Income: ₹20,00,000 - ₹75,000 = ₹19,25,000
Step 2: Applicable Tax Slabs
Applicable Income Slab (₹) |
Tax Rate (%) |
Tax Amount (₹) |
Up to ₹4,00,000 |
Nil |
₹ 0 |
₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000 |
5% |
₹ 20,000 |
₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,000 |
10% |
₹ 40,000 |
₹12,00,001 – ₹16,00,000 |
15% |
₹ 60,000 |
₹16,00,001 – ₹19,25,000 |
20% |
₹ 65,000 |
Total Tax Before Cess |
— |
₹ 1,85,000 |
Step 3: Apply Health & Education Cess (4%)
· Cess Amount: ₹1,85,000 × 4% = ₹7,400
· Total Tax Payable: Total Tax Before Cess + Cess Amount
· Total Tax Payable: ₹1,85,000 + ₹7,400
· Total Tax Payable: ₹1,92,400
For an annual income of ₹20,00,000, the total tax payable is ₹1,92,400.
Note: In the above case, the rebate under Section 87A is not applicable, as it is only available for incomes of up to ₹12 Lakhs under the new tax regime.
Scenario C: Tax Calculation for an Annual Salary of ₹25,00,000
Consider a taxpayer with a taxable income of ₹25,00,000 under the new tax regime introduced in the Union Budget 2025. Here’s a concise breakdown of how the tax is calculated using the applicable slabs.
Step 1: Apply Standard Deduction
· Standard Tax Deduction: ₹75,000
· Taxable Income: ₹25,00,000 - ₹75,000 = ₹24,25,000
Step 2: Applicable Tax Slabs
Income Slab (₹) |
Tax Rate (%) |
Tax Amount (₹) |
Up to ₹4,00,000 |
Nil |
₹ 0 |
₹4,00,001 – ₹8,00,000 |
5% |
₹20,000 |
₹8,00,001 – ₹12,00,000 |
10% |
₹40,000 |
₹12,00,001 – ₹16,00,000 |
15% |
₹60,000 |
₹16,00,001 – ₹20,00,000 |
20% |
₹80,000 |
₹20,00,001 – ₹24,00,000 |
25% |
₹1,00,000 |
₹24,00,000 – ₹24,25,000 |
30% |
₹7,500 |
Total Tax Before Cess |
— |
₹3,07,500 |
Step 3: Apply Health & Education Cess (4%)
· Cess Amount: ₹3,07,500 × 4% = ₹12,300
· Total Tax Payable: Total Tax Before Cess + Cess Amount
· Total Tax Payable: ₹3,07,500 + ₹12,300 = ₹3,19,800
· Total Tax Payable: ₹3,19,800
For an annual income of ₹25,00,000, the total tax payable is ₹3,19,800.
Note: In the above case, the rebate under Section 87A is not applicable, as it is only available for incomes up to ₹12 Lakhs under the new tax regime.
Key Takeaways from the Union Budget 2025
Increased Tax Deduction Limit
The tax deduction limit on interest income for senior citizens has been doubled from ₹50,000 to ₹1 Lakh. This change allows retirees to retain more of their earnings from savings schemes like fixed deposits, effective from April 1, 2025.
Increased Tax Rebate Limit
The tax rebate limit has been raised to ₹12 Lakhs, providing significant relief to middle-class taxpayers and aiming to boost consumption.
Revised Tax Slabs
The new tax slabs have been adjusted, with the highest tax rate of 30% now applicable only on incomes above ₹24 Lakhs.
New Income Tax Bill
A new income tax bill will be introduced to simplify tax laws, aiming for greater clarity and reduced litigation for taxpayers.
Higher TDS Limit on Rent
The annual limit for Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) on rent has been increased from ₹2.40 Lakhs to ₹6 Lakhs, easing the tax burden for both tenants and landlords.